MF Global regulators try to locate funds shortfall

MF Global is trying to account for hundreds of millions of dollars in client accounts, a US official said.

CME Group, one of its regulators, said it looked as if a transfer of customer-segregated funds took place after a CME audit last week.

“It appears that any transfer of such funds occurred following the completion of CME audit procedures respecting such funds,” CME said.

MF Global’s meltdown came after it built up $6.3bn (£3.95bn) in high-risk bets on European bonds.

The FBI has an interest in regulatory probes, a person briefed on the matter said, while it was reported that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission is set to issue subpoenas to the firm. MF Global and Jon Corzine are not accused of wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, a source familiar with the matter said that US regulators started raising concerns about broker-dealer MF Global’s Eurozone sovereign debt exposure as early as June.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) became concerned that MF Global had a large position in European sovereign debt and was not holding enough capital against it.

FINRA spoke with MF Global about having the exposure off balance sheet and after lengthy conversations with it and the SEC, MF Global agreed to add in additional capital.